Tag Archives: mechanic

-Hybrids-, -Other EVs-

Does Fixing The Car Have To Be So Expensive?

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They are one of the most expensive things we will ever own. In fact, for the majority of people, their car is the most valuable and the costliest of all their possessions except for the home. The amount they have to spend on their mechanics is a big part of that, as well. Cars are complex and fixing them isn’t easy so it’s no surprise repairs can be costly. But is there any way to at least make them more manageable? Does keeping your car in good condition always have to be so costly?

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Not if you take care of it

Everyone can reduce how much they spend on repairs. The simple fact is that most drivers are too busy or simply not willing to put in the time to show their own auto a little more care. We can all do more to maintain our cars. Changing spark plugs, checking tire pressure, changing the oil when necessary. You can do all of these and more with the expensive help of a mechanic. If you own an electric car, you can still clean and polish it, lessening the risk of rust, and you can take care of the battery. The more time you put into the car, the less money you have to spend on it.

Not if you shop around

Make sure you’re not going to the most expensive garage in town. Even if they’re a legit business and not resorting to tricks, you could save money by going to their competition, especially if they’re a shorter distance away from you. Shop around when it comes to your parts and maintenance equipment as well. Suppliers like CTI Supply that sell directly to garages and other auto businesses could offer much better prices, especially if you buy in bulk. Don’t always let the garage find your replacement parts for you, either. It’s not entirely unheard of for mechanics to mark up the car parts they source and find for your vehicle. Of course, you shouldn’t try to go too cheap with replacement parts, as that can only end up making them more likely to break and need another replacement in short order.

Not if you prepare

One of the most expensive parts of car repair isn’t the bill, but how unprepared the majority of car owners are for them. If your car has a malfunction or accident and your insurance isn’t paying, you may find that you don’t have the funds readily available. A lot of businesses will let you make repairs on credit, but often with interest that marks up the overall price significantly. By putting aside a car maintenance fund as shown at The Nest, you can avoid going into debt and have the cash ready to go when you need it.

As well as the tips above, you do want to make sure you’re being taken for a ride by your mechanic. Take a closer look at your bill the next time you visit and make sure you’re not getting any extra charges you shouldn’t.

Electric Car Maintenance

Maintenance Musts: Essential Steps Every Electric Car Owner Should Take

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Every car owner should take steps to keep their vehicle in tip-top condition. If you’re prepared to look after your car, you’re likely to save money on repairs, and your wagon will be worth more if you ever come to sell. Electric cars are a different proposition to traditional motors, but this doesn’t mean that maintenance is any less important. Here are some essentials for every electric car owner.

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Servicing

All cars, regardless of the type of technology or fuel they use, need to be serviced on a regular basis. Servicing involves a series of basic and routine checks, which are designed to ensure that the car is running well and reduce the risk of problems developing. You have to pay for a service, but keeping up to date with services could save you a huge amount of money in the long-term. Servicing an electric vehicle is often more straightforward and therefore cheaper than traditional cars, as there are fewer parts and the mechanisms are simpler. If your car is due a service, look for local garages that offer maintenance checks for electric cars.

Cleaning and polishing

If you’re a driver who takes pride in the appearance of their car, microfiber car wash towels are an excellent investment. Cleaning won’t prolong your car’s life expectancy, but it’ll make the car look more attractive, it will enhance the driving experience, and it’ll make the vehicle more marketable if you come to sell. If you use a car for business purposes, cleaning and polishing the vehicle will help to give off the right impression and enhance the appeal of your brand.

Taking care of your battery

There may be different guidelines for optimum charging for different makes and models, but it’s important to take care of your battery regardless of the type of car you drive. Nissan recommends charging the battery to 80 percent, rather than 100 percent to prolong the life of the battery. Check with the manufacturer so that you get the best out of your battery. While it may not always be the best option to drive with a full battery, it’s certainly not advisable to run your car on empty. Avoid getting to the stage where the battery is on 1 percent.

Tire tips

All drivers should check their tire pressure and tread depth on a regular basis. If your tires are worn, or they’re under-inflated, this can affect the driving experience, as well as putting you and other drivers at risk. Check the air pressure before long journeys and take a minute to inspect the surfaces of the tires. If the pressure is running low and you’ve only just pumped the tires up, you may have a slow puncture, and it’s worth trying to repair the tire or replacing it with a spare.

If you own an electric car, it makes sense to try and keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. Taking good care of your car will enhance safety, save on repair costs and boost the value if you choose to sell.

Porsche

Important Care Tips for Your New Porsche

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If you have splashed out on a stunning new Porsche, you will want to care for it properly so that it look as good as new for as long as possible. After all, a gorgeous vehicle like that deserves some serious TLC. However, despite your best intentions, if you don’t go about looking after your Porsche correctly, you could end up causing more damage than good. With that in mind, read on for some top tips.

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  • Dealing with steam – Is your vehicle steamed up? You may need to shift the seat and move the carpets for this one. It’s also a good idea to check the bottom edge of the door panels. If you have a Porsche Boxster996 especially, this is a critical maintenance tip. This is because your Electrical Control unit is situated under the left seat, which means that steam can actually be dangerous. After all, the EC unit coming into contact with stream is the last thing you want for your new vehicle. Nonetheless, steam is something that can impact all models, so don’t overlook the importance of this. It’s also worth pointing out that the 996 Cabrio and all Boxster models have drains underneath the soft top, which need to be kept clear.
  • Choose cleaning products with care – No doubt, cleaning your new Porsche will become your new favourite hobby on the weekend. Nonetheless, the last thing you want to do is scratch your new car or leave it with smudges or covered in a sticky residue. This could easily happen if you don’t choose your cleaning products with care. A good place to start is with Test Facts best spray wax page. You will discover more about the 12 best spray waxes on the market, including information about the features of each product, helping you to choose the best one for your Porsche. You can also find such information on all of the other cleaning products you need. Reading reviews from other Porsche owners comes highly recommended too.
  • Check the brakes – Have you purchased a second hand Porsche? If so, you should check your brake discs as soon as possible. You’re checking for corrosion! Most of the damage tends to be at the back of the brake, which is annoyingly the part that you can’t see. Other signs that your brakes could be rusty is if your experience a slight vibration whenever you brake.
  • Check the tyres – Last but not least, checking tyre pressure is a given with any vehicle. Nonetheless, you also need to carefully check the edges of the tyres too. Grip is going to reduce, as the tyres get older, because the rubber deteriorates. Therefore, checking the integrity of the tyres is especially important if you have opted for a used Porsche.

Needless to say, you will want to give your Porsche the love and attention it deserves. Use the tips that have been mentioned above to ensure your Porsche sparkles brightly and works amazingly for years and years to come.